Rebecca Hubbard
Posted: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 11:17 am

A bright, modern ceramic-looking finish has been created within the cosmetic area of a leading department store, moving away from the traditional choice of floor tiles.

Debenhams, which operates 157 stores across the UK and Ireland with approximately 10.9 million square feet of trading space, relies upon a tough hard wearing floor that can withstand high footfall but is also able to retain its initial appearance.  

For these reasons, flooring from Amtico has been installed across a number of its sites, but a fresh, new approach was needed for the latest project at the company’s Kidderminster store.

Formerly an old carpet mill, the building’s Grade II listed interior featured exposed steel columns, beams and brickwork, characteristics that the Debenhams design team were compelled to preserve as Design Manager, Jill Fleming, explained. 

She said that a finish that was sympathetic to the architectural features of the building whilst accentuating the quality of the brands was needed. A composite calcium finish was opted for, which replaced the ceramic tiles traditionally used within the cosmetic departments.

They then decided that as the floor provided a good link between the natural and raw elements within the building, whilst giving the historic site a contemporary twist, the Amtico finish was to be fitted throughout the entire store.